Spring assemblies for seats, settees, beds and the like



Oct. 9, 1962 c. M. BENJAMIN SPRING ASSEMBL IES FOR SEATS, SETTEES, BEDS AND THE LIKE Filed April 5, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Oct. 9, 1962 c. M. BENJAMIN SPRING ASSEMBLIES FOR SEATS, SETTEES, BEDS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1960 FIGS.

ATTORNEY Oct. 9, 1962 c. M. BENJAMIN SPRING ASSEMBLIES FOR SEATS, SETTEES, BEDS AND THE LIKE Filed April 5, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 2 lNV/ZRITORAW W M dram 441M 3, Wu

ATTORNEY Oct. 9, 1962 c. M. BENJAMIN SPRING ASSEMBLIES FOR SEATS, SETTEES, BEDS AND THE LIKE Filed April 5, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Nut/LE1 8.

ATTORNEY E nits-d This invention relates to spring assemblies for seats, divans, settees, beds and the like. A material that is at present being widely used in the upholstery industry is elastic webbing or tape composed of rubber or rubber reinforced with textile material. Such webbing or tape has replaced the conventional helical or spiral springs employed in certain types of upholstered structures owing to its simplicity and cheapness. It is customary for such webbing or tape to be detachably or fixedly secured in a stretched condition to rigid frames and to serve as a foundation support for upholstery elements or material. However, it has not hitherto been possible to employ such webbing or tapes in such a manner as to provide a spring edge effect to seating and reclining surfaces such as required in the construction of seats for motor vehicles, armchairs, divans, mattresses and the like. It is a primary object of the present invention to enable such webbing or tape to be employed so as to provide a seating or reclining surface having a spring edge effect.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an element for use in the formation of a spring assembly incorporating webbing or other strip material, said element being adapted for mounting as a cantilever disposed at an angle to the plane of at least one length of webbing or other strip material extending from the outer end of said element.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a spring assembly for seats, divans, settees, beds and the like comprising a plurality of sinuous convdlutions or separate spring elements in the form of struts disposed in one or more inclined planes or curves relatively to one or more supports said struts being held at their lower ends, a plurality of transversely, or obliquely disposed webs of elastic material or tension springs being positioned at or near the upper edges of said spring elements and an anchorage to form a seating or reclining surface and a plurality of downwardly depending elastic or non-elastic webs, cords, chains, or tension springs, or a single portion of elastic material or non-elastic material being attached to the spring elements at or near the upper edges thereof and to a rigid anchorage to maintain the movement of the spring elements within predetermined limits.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an armchair embodying the spring assembly according to the invention, part of the framework of one of the arm-rests being broken away.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the spring assembly shown in FIGURE 1 but drawn to an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of spring assembly.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing a spring assembly according to the invention applied to a divan base.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a supporting member for the spring elements.

FIGURE '6 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a seat and back embodying a modified construction of spring assembly.

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FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a spring element mounted on a modified form of supporting member for the spring elements.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 in which the limbs of the spring elements are slightly bowed.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view showing a spring element of modified construction.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a further modification.

Referring to the drawings, the assembly comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular spring elements 1 each formed of heavy gauge wire, the elements 1 having their lower ends 2 bent rearwardly so as to enable them to lie flat with respect to a metal supporting bar 3. A longitudinal wire 4 is disposed along the upper edges of the spring elements 1 and serves to impart rigidity thereto. The longitudinal wire 4 is attached to the spring elements by means of clips 4* or helical wire may be employed for the purpose. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4, the lower ends 2 of the spring elements 1 are accommodated within a channel formed in the supporting bar 3 and clamped in position therein whilst according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG- URES 7 and 8 the lower ends of the spring elements are secured to the supporting bar 3 by means of part-circular members 5 disposed in spaced relationship on the upper face of the supporting bar 3 and along the outer edge thereof. The supporting bar 3 also carries on its upper face a plurality of upstanding lugs 6 for the reception of the outer limbs of the spring elements that lie on the supporting bar 3. The lugs 6 can, if desired, be pressed into firm engagement with the limbs of the spring elements. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 8 the limbs of the spring elements are slightly bowed. The construction according to any of the embodiments described is such that the spring elements and supporting bar can be formed as a complete unit. In applying the assembly to a seating surface, e.g. an armchair (FIG- URE 1) the supporting bar 3 is attached to parallel frame members 7 and 8. Thus the spring elements 1 will be disposed at an inclined angle with respect to the frame members 7 and 8. A plurality of transverse elastic webs 9 are attached at one end to the upper ends of the spring elements I and are secured in a stretched condition between a rear frame element 10 of the chair and the upper ends of the spring elements. A plurality of downwardly depending webs 11 of elastic or non-elastic material are attached to the longitudinal wire 4 at positions intermediate of the spring elements, the lower ends of the webs 11 being attached to a longitudinal frame element 12 of the chair. The arrangement is such that the transverse webs 9 serve to support the seating surface proper while the downwardly depending webs 11 permit the forward ends of the spring elements to be depressed to a limited extent when subjected to normal operational tension and to be restored to the normal position when such tension has been removed. In applying the invention to a divan base (FIGURE 4) two sets of spring elements 1 are employed, each set being so disposed that the upper ends of the spring elements occupy a position substantially overlying the transverse members 13 and 14 of the framework of the divan. The supporting bar 3 of each set of spring elements is attached in a transverse position to the longitudinal members 15 and 16 respectively, of the framework of the divan so that each set of spring elements is disposed at an angle which is inclined in a direction opposite to each other, i.e., so that the upper extremities of the spring elements substantially overlie the transverse members 13 and 14 respectively of the framework of the divan. A plurality of elastic webs 17' are arranged longitudinally in a stretched condition between the upper extremities of the spring elements. Downwardly depending webs 18 of elastic or non-elastic material are secured to the longitudinal wire 4 and the transverse frame members 13 and 14, the webs 18 functioning in a manner similar to the webs 11 embodied in the armchair construction illustrated in FIGURE 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URE 3, in lieu of downwardly depending webs, a series of tie members 19 formed of cord or the like are employed to maintain the movement of the spring elements between predetermined limits.

Whilst in the embodiments described above the supporting bar 3 is of metal construction it may sometimes be found expedient to employ a wooden supporting bar 20 (FIGURE having a longitudinal groove 21 therein to accommodate the lower ends 2 of the spring element 1, such ends being secured within the groove in any suit able manner.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 6, a lower set of spring elements 1 is disposed with its supporting bar 3 secured to side members 22 of the framework of the seat, the remainder of the spring elements being inclined upwardly in a forward direction. An upper set of spring elements 2 is disposed with its supporting bar 3 mounted on a frame member 23 of the back-rest, the upper ends of the spring elements being disposed at a point substantially in alignment with the upper extremity of the frame member 23 but spaced therefrom at a distance determined by the inclination of the spring elements. A pair of supports 24 and 25 are disposed between the frame members 22 and 23 respectively. A plurality of elastic webs 26 each formed in one continuous length are secured to the upper ends of the two sets of spring elements so as to extend across the seating surface and the back of the seat, the webs being secured to the supports 24 and 25 by means of D-shaped rings 27. A plurality of downwardly depending webs 28 of elastic or non-elastic material are attached to the upper ends of the spring elements and the member 22 of the frame work. The outer ends of the upper set of spring elements are attached to a plurality of elastic or non-elastic webs 28*, the opposite ends of which are secured to the upper extremity of the frame member 23.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 9, the spring elements 1 are bent intermediate of their lengths to substantially V-shape, the limbs thereof being disposed with their apices directely inwardly, the upper ends thereof being attached to a longitudinal wire support 4 and the lower ends thereof being bent downwardly and secured to the longitudinal outer edge of a wooden frame element 29, the elastic webs 9 being attached to the upper extremities of the spring elements and the downwardly depending webs 11 being secured to the frame element 29.

Whilst in the embodiments illustrated in the drawings the upper ends of the spring elements are attached to the longitudinal wire 4 and thereby spaced from each other, such wire can be dispensed with and the elements assembled closely adjacent each other with their upper extremities in line, the abutting portions being secured together by means of a suitable clip embracing the complementary limbs of adjacent elements. Conveniently the elements can be coupled together by means of T-shaped clips.

When one or more non-elastic webs are employed in carrying out the invention these may be formed of canvas or other suitable textile material.

Whilst in the embodiments illustrated and described the spring elements are formed separately from each other they may be constructed from a continuous length of wire which is bent sinuously to provide a plurality of convolutions of rectangular or other desired shape. Moreover, in order to maintain the tension of the spring elements at within predetermined limits a plurality of chains may be employed in lieu of the downwardly depending elastic or non-elastic webs.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 10, the transverse elastic webs 9 are attached to the portions of the longitudinal wire 4 intermediate of the spring elements 1, the downwardly depending webs 11 being attached to the upper ends of the spring elements.

Although not so illustrated in the drawings, the webs 9 and 11 can carry suitable clips at their ends, e.g. of claw form whereby they can be hooked onto the spring elements and an anchorage respectively.

What I claim is:

l. A spring assembly for seats, divans and the like, comprising, in combination, frame means including a first support member and a base member; a plurality of spaced resilient wire elements each forming a substantially elongated loop and having oppositely disposed end portions, one of said end portions being bent for turnably mounting on said first support member; a second support member positioned in spaced substantially parallel relation to said first support member supporting the other end portion of each of said loops; a plurality of spaced elastic belts disposed in a first plane each connected at one end thereof to a corresponding one of said resilient wire elements in a manner whereby said belts normally urge said wire elements to turn about the bent end portions thereof; and anchor means forming a plurality of 'loops about said second support member, the loops of said anchor means being interposed between selected ones of the other end portions of said wire elements and being affixed to the base member of said frame means, said anchor means being disposed in a second plane trans verse to said first plane in a manner whereby said anchor means opposes rotation of said wire elements about the bent end portions thereof.

2. A spring assembly for seats, divans and the like, comprising, in combination, frame means including a first support member and a base member, said first support member having a channel formed therein; a plurality of spaced resilient wire elements each forming a substantially elongated loop and having oppositely disposed end portions, one of said end portions being bent for turnably mounting in the channel of said first support member; a second support member positioned in spaced substantially parallel relation to said first support member supporting the other end portion of each of said loops; a plurality of spaced elastic belts disposed in a first plane each connected at one end thereof to a corresponding one of said resilient wire elements in a manner whereby said belts normally urge said wire elements to turn about the bent end portions thereof; and anchor means forming a plurality of loops about said second support member, the loops of said anchor means being interposed between selected ones of the other end portions of said wire elements and being atfixed to the base member of said frame means, said anchor means being disposed in a second plane transverse to said first plane in a manner whereby said anchor means opposes rotation of said wire elements about the bent end portions thereof.

3. A spring assembly for seats, divans and the like, comprising, in combination, frame means including a first support member and a base member, said first support member having a channel formed therein and a plurality of recesses formed within said channel; a plurality of spaced resilient wire elements each forming a substantially elongated loop and having oppositely disposed end portions, one of said end portions being bent for turnably mounting in a pair of recesses of said first support member; a second support member positioned in spaced substantially parallel relation to said first support member supporting the other end portion of each of said loops; a plurality of spaced elastic belts disposed in a first plane each connected at one end thereof to a corresponding one of said resilient wire elements in a manner whereby said belts normally urge said wire elements to turn about the bent end portions thereof; and anchor means forming a plurality of loops about said second support member, the loops of said anchor means being interposed between selected ones of the other end portions of said wire elements and being aflixed to the base member of said frame means, said anchor means being disposed in a second plane transverse to said first plane in a manner whereby said anchor means opposes rotation of said wire elements about the bent end portions thereof.

4. A spring assembly for seats, divans and the like, comprising, in combination, frame means including a first support member and a base member; a plurality of spaced resilient wire elements each forming a substantially elongated loop and having oppositely disposed end portions, one of said end portions being bent for turnably mounting on said first support member; a second support member positioned in spaced substantially parallel relation to said first support member supporting the other end portion of each of said loops; a plurality of spaced elastic first belts disposed in a first plane each connected at one end thereof to a corresponding one of said resilient wire elements in a manner whereby said first belts normally urged said wire elements to turn about the bent end portions thereof; and a plurality of spaced second belts each looped about said second support member, the loops of said second belts being interposed between selected ones of the other end portions of said wire elements and being afiixed to the base member of said frame means, said second belts being disposed in a second plane transverse to said first plane in a manner whereby said second belts oppose rotation of said wire elements about the bent end portions thereof.

5. A spring assembly for seats, divans and the like, comprising, in combination, frame means including a pair of first support members and a pair of base members; a first and second group of spaced resilient wire elements, each of said elements forming a substantially elongated loop and having oppositely disposed end portions, one of said end portions of each of said wire elements in each of said groups being bent for turnably mounting on a corresponding one of said pair of first support members; a pair of second support members each positioned in spaced substantially parallel relation to a corresponding one of said pair of first support members and to each other and supporting the corresponding other end portion of each of said loops in one of said groups; a first and second group of anchor means forming a plurality of loops about each of said pair of second support members, said loops of said anchor means in one of said groups being interposed between selected ones of the other end portions of said wire elements in one of said groups thereof and being affixed to a corresponding one of said pair of base members; and a plurality of spaced elastic belts, each connected at each end thereof to a corresponding one of said resilient wire elements in one of said groups thereof, said elastic belts being disposed in at least one plane and said first and second groups of anchor means being disposed in planes transverse to said plane of said elastic belts, whereby said belts normally urge said groups of wire elements to turn about the bent end portions thereof, whereas said groups of anchor means oppose rotation of corresponding ones of said groups of wire elements about the bent end portions thereof.

6. A spring assembly for seats, divans and the like, comprising, in combination, frame means including a pair of first support members and a pair of base members; a first and second group of spaced resilient wire elements, each of said elements forming a substantially elongated loop and having oppositely disposed end portions, one of said end portions of each of said wire elements in each of said groups being bent for turnably mounting on a corresponding one of said pair of first support members; a pair of second support members each positioned in spaced substantially parallel relation to a corresponding one of said pair of first support members and to each other and supporting the corresponding other end portion of each of said loops in one of said groups; a first and second group of anchor means forming a plurality of loops about each of said pair of second support members, said loops of said anchor means in one of said groups being interposed between selected ones of the other end portions of said wire elements in one of said groups thereof and being aflixed to a corresponding one of said pair of base members; and a plurality of spaced elastic belts, each connected at each end thereof to a corresponding one of said resilient wire elements in one of said groups thereof, said elastic belts being disposed in two planes transverse to each other; third support members on said frame means adjacent the line of intersection of said transverse planes, and retaining means connected to said third support member and slidably holding said belts along the line of intersection of said transverse planes; said first and second anchor means being each disposed in a plane transverse to a corresponding one of said planes in which said belts are disposed, whereby said belts normally urge said groups of wire elements to turn about the bent end portions thereof, whereas said groups of anchor means oppose rotation of corresponding ones of said groups of wire elements about the bent end portions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,106,066 Sadgrove Jan. 18, 1988 2,586,433 Lepp et a1. Feb. 19, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 579,691 Germany June 29, 1933 530,394 Great Britain Dec. 11, 1940 133,094 Australia June 8, 1949 1,135,133 France Dec. 10, 1956 

